Chapter 173

Sunlight streamed through the glass dome of the jade auction, casting golden pools across the exhibition floor. Aria Bennett bent over a grayish-brown rough stone, her fingers tracing its surface with practiced ease.

"Aria, you look like a professional jade appraiser!" Audrey Lane exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she leaned in closer.

Aria's lips curved slightly. "I picked up a few things from my mentor."

"Teach us how to spot the good ones!" Vivienne Archer grabbed her arm, pouting playfully.

Aria tapped the stone before them. "Auction roughs come in three types. Full roughs like this are the most thrilling—you can't tell if there's jade inside at all."

"Half-roughs have a 'window' cut to reveal some jade quality, but what lies beneath remains a mystery."

"Then there are open specimens—safest but most expensive. It's all about the gamble."

As she spoke, Aria jotted down the stone's catalog number with fluid precision.

The live comments exploded:

[Damn, Aria actually knows this stuff!]

[Her knowledge range is insane!]

[Someone's about to get humiliated again lol]

Vivienne gazed at her pleadingly. "Pick some for me? I'm completely lost!"

"Me too!" Audrey raised her hand eagerly.

Aria chuckled. "Choose your own first. I'll vet them for you."

"You're the best!" Vivienne lunged to hug her. "If you were a man, I'd marry you right now!"

Audrey shoved her aside. "I called dibs first!"

The livestream audience went wild:

[The battle for Aria's affection is real]

[That irresistible Aria charm]

[Back off, she's mine!]

Their laughter was interrupted by a looming shadow.

"This specimen is inferior." A man's greasy voice oozed over them. "Grainy texture with inclusions—won't yield decent jade."

Aria turned to meet a pair of unsettling eyes.

"I disagree." Her tone turned frosty as she finished noting the number.

Julian Valmont's throat worked as he stared at her delicate profile. At his signal, a subordinate "accidentally" knocked over a camera rig.

"Miss Bennett." He extended a gilded business card. "Care for tea?"

Aria ignored it. "Do we know each other?"

"Who in the industry doesn't know the famous Aria Bennett?" He smoothed his hair with faux nonchalance. "My jade expertise could—"

"Pass." She turned to leave.

Julian dropped his voice to a threatening whisper. "You realize who I am? Cross me, and your career is over."

Aria's eyes narrowed. "And?"

"I want you." He stepped closer. "Be mine, and I'll give you any resource you desire."

Aria: "..."

This idiot must be missing half his brain cells.